Seize The Moment, GOP

Soren Dayton of The Next Right had an interesting diary on how the conservative movement is going through tremendous upheavals since the 2008 Presidential Election:

“But when you talk to the donors you hear something more. They are tired of being taken for a ride. They understand that a lot of the older institutions are not providing value. You do see a fetishizing of new media and technology right now because it’s the only really new thing that people are coming to donors with, but they understand that there is some snake-oil out there and are getting confused.”

“Ultimately, they want value, and they want leadership. And they are cutting off an establishment that isn’t providing either. This is happening at the same time as many of these groups are considering succession plans. Suddenly, a lack of leadership, a lack of funds, and a dismal political and economic climate are making some of these people think twice about the future of their organizations.”

“This should be an opportunity. For a while, people in the conservative movement are going to have to live lean and demonstrate value. When people get excited again, whether around new candidates, a new batch of ideas, or responding to Barack Obama and Democratic proposals, they will be opportunities for people that have been putting points on the scoreboard. In the meantime though, it’s going to be very scary.”

“When we get on the other side of this, the movement is going to look very different.”

Massachusetts conservative activists will monitor the kind of signals being transmitted by the state GOP within the next few months. They’ll observe the outcome of the Beacon Hill GOP caucus election to see if the party’s leaders will embrace change or the political status quo. They’ll watch the state party itself as the GOP state committee through its choice of a new chairman telegraphs to its grassroots & the general public the direction it wishes to go. The state GOP (& its elected/appointed public officials) should be mindful, however, that whatever choices it makes will have an impact – for good or for ill – on its future fortunes.

Count me as one of the activists who long ago abjured the Welducci “snake oil” the state GOP has tried in vain to foist on its grassroots. The Welducci era is dead. It’s time to think anew & recreate a revitalized state Republican Party which takes into consideration the state’s culture, the Democrat paradigm, & the historical changes that are convulsing the country & the world. Seize the moment, state GOP!